Coupling device for rails, shafts, or the like.



No. 760,307. PATENTED MAY 17, 1904.

, 0. A. A. GHENU. COUPLING DEVICE EOE RAILS, SHAFTS, OR THE LIKE.APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 24, 1904. N0 MODEL.

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g. Ev /WW new Patented May 1'7, 1904.

CHARLES ALEXANDRE ARTHUR OHENU, OF FTAMPES, FRANCE.

COUPLING DEVICE FOR RAILS, SHAFTS, OR THE LIKE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 760,307, dated May 1'7,1904.

I Application filed February 24:, 1904. Serial No. 195,059. (No model.)

To (ZZZ 1071,0111, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES ALEXANDRE ARTHUR CHENU, a citizen of theFrench Republic, residing at 71 RueSt. JaquesJultampes, Department ofSeine-et-Oise, France, have invented a new and useful Improvement inCoupling Devices for Rails, Shafts, or the Like, of which the followingis a specification.

The object of this invention is a device for coupling rails, bars,shafts, or the like of different section, placed either end to end,parallel or even transversely, though itis chiefly applicable to thecoupling of rails of any section, and when iron cross-ties are usedenables the latter to be fixed to the rails without the use of bolts.

The device consists of two jaws of suitable shape, the first of whichstarts from the bottom of the rail head, fitting all round the base ofthe rail, reaching up to a certain convenient height on the other sideand resting against a point or small surface on the stem of the rail andon the upper and under surfaces of the foot of the rail. The second jawresembles the upper portion of the first and makes contact with the railat three points,-- viz, on the stem and on the upper and lateralsurfaces of the rail-foot. The whole device is tightened up by means ofa tapering bar or wedge of suitable length. When doubleheaded rails arein question, the shape of the lower portion of the jaw is modified tofit the lower head.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 representsa cross-sectional viewof the coupling device applied to single headed rails. Fig. 2 is amodification. Fig. 3 shows the device in position for connecting railsby a cross-tie rod.

In Fig. 1, a represents the rail, 7) the jaw surrounding the rail, and cthe locking-jaw. (Z is the wedge-pin. The jaw bmakes contact with therail at 7) against the stem, also touching the upper surface of therail-foot at Z) and the lower surface of the foot between the points 6and 6 The right-hand portion of the jaw b is bent round and shaped at I)in such a manner as to form an abutment and rail, with the upper face ofthe rail-foot at f 0 and fihally with the vertical edge of the rail-footat 0". surface 6" the jaw c is made of corresponding shape at 0, so asto admit the wedge-pin (Z. Assuming the jaw Z) to be fixed, on insertingthe Wedge-pin (Z the jaw c is driven toward the left and commences topress against the rail-foot at the point 0 forcing the foot into the jawZ). The result, therefore, of this first stage of tightening up thecoupling device is to forcibly jam the left portion of the 'railfootinto the jaw 6. The point 0" being thus fixed, the influence of thewedge-pin (Z on the jaw c is to cause this piece to turn in thedirection of arrow 9; around the point 0, so as to first press on therail-foot at c and then against the stem of the rail at c. In this man-At the point opposite the ner the rail is held firm, on the one handimmediately under the head between the points Z/and 0 by forces actingin a horizontal direction and, on the other hand, by pressure againstthe jawb by forces acting vertically at the points and c on therail-foot.

In Fig. 2 the coupling consists of a fixed base c and two jaws f and fsimilar to the jaw c. The base a is shaped at the points (3' and c oneach side in a similar manner to the jaw I) at U, and the whole deviceis tightened up by two taper wedge-pins g7 and g. The fact that one ofthe jaws is caused by the wedge-pin to turn around a point of supportsituated on the rail itself results in the transformation of part of themore or less horizontal pressure set up by the wedge-pin into a verticalpressure acting downward on the rail-foot and tending to fix it on thesupport. In order that this pivoting movement may be possible, the pointa must be higher than the points 0 and 0 An example of connecting tworails not placed end to end is shown in Fig. 3, which the cross-tie Itare bent round at right angles above is that in manufacture thedifferent parts may be rolled.

The various parts of my device may be manufactured of any suitablematerial, and the form of the shells, wedges, or taper pins, &c., may bevaried in details. For instance, certain parts may be hollowed out toreduce the weight, While others may be strengthened by ribs and likemodifications made without departing from the main feature of theinvention.

M In addition to the facility with which the parts are united orseparated the coupling clevices present the additional advantages ofsimplicity of construction, suitability for application to bars of anyprofile, solidity, and security of coupling, obviating the use of bolts,allowing free expansion of the bars, and occupying little space. I

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my saidinvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare thatwhat I claim is- 1. 1n coupling devices of the character described thecombination of a pair of suitablyshaped jaws adapted to grip the rails,bars or parts to be coupled; one of which jaws, under the influence of ataper wedge-pin acting on both, is caused to pivot in resting againstthe said rail or bar, the abutment for the said wedge-pin being formedas a part of the other jaw which is shaped to act in the same manner asthe first jaw and to serve also as a support for the said rails, bars orparts to be coupled, substantially as described.

2. In coupling devices of the character described the combination of apair of suitablyshaped jaws adapted to grip the rails, bars or parts tobe coupled, one of which jaws under the influence of a taper wedge-pinacting on both, is caused to pivotally press horizontally against thestem of the parts and vertically from above downward onto the footthereof, the abutment being formed as a part of the other jaw which isshaped to act in the same manner as the first jaw and at the same timeto serve as a support for the rail, bar or like parts, substantially asdescribed.

3. In coupling devices of the character described the combination with apair of suitably-shaped jaws adapted to grip the parts to be coupledtogether, of a separate base-piece forming a support for the said parts,and tapered pins or wedges located between said jaws and abutmentsformed on said base piece, the tightening up of which pins, causes thebase-piece and the jaws to grip the parts in certain places,substantially as described. 1 4. In coupling devices of the characterde- I scribed the combination with two pairs of suitably-shaped jawsadapted to grip two bars, rails, or the like placed parallel to eachother,

by means of tapered pins or wedges located between the jaws of eachpair, of a tie bar or rod having bent ends resting in a slot in theinner of each pair of jaws, said bent ends of the tie rod or barbeinggripped between the bars or rails to be coupled, and the said inner jawsof each pair of jaws, substantially as described. 1

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses. I

CHARLES ALEXANDRE ARTHUR CHENU.

Witnesses:

JoRDAN D. STE ART, CLAUDIus LUssoN.

